AI SUMMARY – Key Points Before You Read
- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will attend the first meeting of Trump’s Peace Council
- The council aims to play a global role in post-conflict reconstruction
- Major European powers have declined participation
- Critics warn of a parallel structure challenging the United Nations
BUDAPEST — Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has announced that he will travel to Washington in two weeks to attend the inaugural meeting of the newly established Peace Council, an initiative launched by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Orbán revealed the invitation during a campaign event in western Hungary, confirming that he would join Trump for the council’s first formal session. The Peace Council was introduced on January 22 during the World Economic Forum in Davos, with Trump positioning himself as its lifetime chair.
According to its initial mandate, the council is tasked with overseeing post-war reconstruction efforts in Gaza. However, its scope is far broader. Trump has suggested that the body could eventually take on responsibilities traditionally held by the United Nations, a claim that has alarmed diplomats and international observers.
One of the most controversial aspects of the Peace Council is its membership model. Permanent members are required to pay a fee of $1 billion, prompting criticism that the council could become a pay-to-play alternative to the U.N. Security Council.
European reactions have been cautious at best. France and the United Kingdom declined to participate, while Slovakia and the Czech Republic have also opted out. Hungary and Bulgaria remain the only EU member states to accept the invitation so far.
Orbán’s participation reflects his long-standing alignment with Trump and his broader vision of international politics centered on strong national sovereignty. He has repeatedly criticized the United Nations and the European Union, arguing that global governance structures have become ineffective.
The upcoming meeting in Washington is expected to signal a shift in global diplomacy, raising questions about the future role of established international institutions.